Pampore, Oct 26 – In a significant stride for Kashmir’s saffron industry, the India International Kashmir Saffron Trading Centre (IIKSTC) in Pampore has launched its saffron processing operations as the harvest season unfolds. This development is set to enhance efficiency and quality in Kashmir’s renowned saffron sector, thanks to cutting-edge facilities for stigma separation and drying.
Farmers from across the region have been arriving at IIKSTC with freshly harvested saffron flowers, utilizing the center’s advanced resources to streamline the labor-intensive processes that traditionally relied on manual effort and extended drying times. Dr. Khursheed Ahmad, the center’s Incharge, shared optimism for the current harvest season, emphasizing the potential for a high-quality yield. “The bloom is underway, and we are optimistic about this year’s crop,” Dr. Ahmad stated. “Farmers have been bringing flowers to our facility since last week, taking full advantage of our advanced technologies that make saffron processing faster and more efficient.”
Designed to transform the saffron production landscape, IIKSTC’s facility automates processes like stigma separation and drying, which once required up to four days under the sun, risking quality degradation. Now, with high-tech vacuum dryers, drying is completed in just 30 minutes, ensuring the premium quality of the product. After drying, each batch undergoes rigorous testing in a NABL-accredited laboratory, where it is certified and awarded the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag, authenticating its Kashmiri origin and quality.
Through IIKSTC’s e-auction platform, farmers now have a broader market reach, connecting with registered buyers nationwide. The initiative has reportedly doubled many farmers’ incomes, with the high-quality GI-tagged saffron fetching premium prices.
The progress made by IIKSTC has garnered national attention, including recognition from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who praised the Jammu and Kashmir administration’s initiatives in supporting saffron farmers and uplifting the region’s saffron industry. This season’s harvest marks a promising chapter for Kashmir’s agriculture, bringing innovation and prosperity to one of its most cherished traditions.
